China in talks with US over case of brother of disgraced Party official

Author： Source：Sino-US.com Update Time：2016-01-18

Ling Wancheng's house in Loomis Photo: China Press

China has for the first time acknowledged that it is in talks with the US about the case of Ling Wancheng, the brother of a disgraced former Communist Party official, the Party's anti-corruption commission announced Friday.

Ling is confirmed by Chinese authorities to be living in the US. He is the youngest brother of Ling Jihua, former head of the United Front Work Department of the CPC Central Committee, who was put under investigation in July on suspicion of bribery.

Ling Wancheng, also known as Wang Cheng or Jason Wang was living in California and owned a $2.5 million home, the China Press reported in August.

Ling and his wife, Jane Wang, bought the house in 2013 from former NBA’s Sacramento Kings player Beno Udrih. The house, located in Terracina Community of Loomis, covers an area of 7807 square feet.

The house was later put for sale at lowered prices but no deal was reached. Fenced by iron guard rails, the grand building stands in stark contrast to the surrounding countryside landscape, the report said.

Ling, an avid golf fan and member of the China Golf Association, also bought at least two golf courses in the US.

The government has given no details of any crime Ling is suspected of and his name has not appeared on any wanted lists.

It is still unknown whether Ling has obtained US permanent residency or citizenship.

Despite the lack of an extradition deal between China and the US, Ling could be repatriated from the US if he is found to violate US laws in entry or business operations on American soil, said Huang Feng, a professor with Beijing Normal University.

In April, Chinese judicial authorities launched an eight-month operation code-named "Sky Net" to hunt down corrupt officials at large abroad and confiscate their ill-gotten assets. China brought back more than 1,000 economic fugitives to stand trial last year.

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